Fake or Real?

Status
Not open for further replies.
MDQBox

MDQBox

BANNED
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
1,159
Can anyone please tell me if this is an authentic XM-18 or a fake/clone? I don't have the opportunity to view or handle the knife in person and would appreciate any and all help. Thanks.

$T2eC16FHJG8E9nyfmGmKBQ-KDwqWlw~~60_57.JPG
$T2eC16dHJFoE9nh6piifBQ-KD3kc9Q~~60_57.JPG
$(KGrHqFHJF!FDyOfbuRIBQ-KD7!q)w~~60_57.JPG
$(KGrHqNHJEYFDy8r9uqSBQ-KD-tFUw~~60_57.JPG
$(KGrHqR,!jQFD)Q7VMfZBQ-KFLt93g~~60_57.JPG
 
Compared to my Gen4 XM18 3.5 I notice it has different screws holding the scales together. There is also a screw in the lockside, that mine doesn't have. These could be just Generation differences, as apposed to a fake. Not sure if that helps.
 
If i'm correct the screw in the ti slab is just an alternate bladestop design. If I were you i'd wait till the hinderer veterans are here :p perhaps even send an email to rob orlando ?
Good luck with it
 
This could very well be the real deal, however the seller has 0 feedback and has not sold anything prior to this, red flag, I know I got burnt last month on a Hinderer XM 18 3 inch. The seller also had 0 feedback, he never shipped the knife, I now have to go through PayPal Buyer Protection. I'm assuming the picture you posted is the knife currently being sold on Ebay.
He also has a Randall knife for sale, unusual for a first time seller to sell such high end knives for first time up to bat! Lately I've noticed Ebay has gone down the sh---er. They are allowing known Hinderer fakes to be sold, the buyer even states that they are clones, or poor man's Hinderers, that is just wrong!
 
Final Option said:
This could very well be the real deal, however the seller has 0 feedback and has not sold anything prior to this, red flag, I know I got burnt last month on a Hinderer XM 18 3 inch. The seller also had 0 feedback, he never shipped the knife, I now have to go through PayPal Buyer Protection. I'm assuming the picture you posted is the knife currently being sold on Ebay.
He also has a Randall knife for sale, unusual for a first time seller to sell such high end knives for first time up to bat! Lately I've noticed Ebay has gone down the sh---er. They are allowing known Hinderer fakes to be sold, the buyer even states that they are clones, or poor man's Hinderers, that is just wrong!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I totally noticed the "0" feedback. I checked out his/her other auctions and they all appear to have the same background so I'm assuming he/she at least does have what is pictured in his/her possession and this isn't just a pic he/she found off the internet. If anything, assuming I win, I can always file a claim if it does turn out to be a counterfeit. Kind of a hassle, but I at least do have some form of recourse. I haven't placed my bid yet, as I would like a little more feedback on what you all think. Thanks.
 
Cant comment on wether or not it is real. The only thing id be weary of is the screws holding the scales, out of the 4 hinderers that iv owned/own none of them have that style.

Also if this were "real" then it is a gen 3 (since you can see the stop pin screw in the middle of the Ti frame).
 
I am no expert but it looks legit as far as the item is concerned.As for the seller,PayPal will offer little comfort and is a PITA in all of my dealings with them over the years.Others have had better results.You could request the seller to send additional pics with their ebay name and date on a piece of paper next to the actual knife.
Everyone on fleabay starts with 0 feedback but I doubt I would take a shot with a noob on a higher ticket item such as this.



MDQBox said:
Yeah, I totally noticed the "0" feedback. I checked out his/her other auctions and they all appear to have the same background so I'm assuming he/she at least does have what is pictured in his/her possession and this isn't just a pic he/she found off the internet. If anything, assuming I win, I can always file a claim if it does turn out to be a counterfeit. Kind of a hassle, but I at least do have some form of recourse. I haven't placed my bid yet, as I would like a little more feedback on what you all think. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
And a little note about the seller... if you look at his randall posting he lists it as used, but then in his description : NEVER SHEATHED/NEVER SHARPENED/NEVER CARRIED.

I think id be weary of buying from him.
 
Sometimes you have to take a chance on sellers like this but it is a huge gamble, and this knife isn't worth that gamble. I did once on an extremely rare knife and it worked out fine but I was sweating bullets. I would never do it for something this relatively common. That said, it does look legit, the screws are older style, it's an earlier gen3.
 
Nader Elhayek said:
And a little note about the seller... if you look at his randall posting he lists it as used, but then in his description : NEVER SHEATHED/NEVER SHARPENED/NEVER CARRIED.

I think id be weary of buying from him.
Click to expand...

franzdom said:
Sometimes you have to take a chance on sellers like this but it is a huge gamble, and this knife isn't worth that gamble. I did once on an extremely rare knife and it worked out fine but I was sweating bullets. I would never do it for something this relatively common. That said, it does look legit, the screws are older style, it's an earlier gen3.
Click to expand...

nozyk said:
I am no expert but it looks legit as far as the item is concerned.As for the seller,PayPal will offer little comfort and is a PITA in all of my dealings with them over the years.Others have had better results.You could request the seller to send additional pics with their ebay name and date on a piece of paper next to the actual knife.
Everyone on fleabay starts with 0 feedback but I doubt I would take a shot with a noob on a higher ticket item such as this.
Click to expand...

Nader Elhayek said:
Cant comment on wether or not it is real. The only thing id be weary of is the screws holding the scales, out of the 4 hinderers that iv owned/own none of them have that style.

Also if this were "real" then it is a gen 3 (since you can see the stop pin screw in the middle of the Ti frame).
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks everyone for all the good information. I think I just really wanted someone to tell me it was okay to gamble and take the plunge. It would probably serve the seller better if he/she would at least wait and build up a positive feedback rating before selling such high ticket items. I think at least having a few positive feedbacks would have attracted a lot more buyers/bidders. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

I think the best course of action would be to wait (hardest part) and buy from a reputable seller. Peace of mind goes a long way. Thanks again.

I consider the issue closed now since I won't be bidding on it.
 
Last edited:
Looks real to me, I believe the earlier versions of the XM-18 had those button heads screws like the ones in the picture.
 
I don't have an 18 but here is my XM-24, You can see that everything looks the same except the Handle Screws. Mine is a Gen.2

DSCN0759.jpg


DSCN0760.jpg
 
It is not PC to discuss fakes here. Many a thread gets locked.

That XM looks like an early Gen 3 3.5.

As for sellers, When in doubt, pass.
 
This was moved from General Discussion by a mid night moderator for Hinderer Forum members to discuss N2K. There was no deal spotting or direct links to this knife. I think it is PC to educate our forum members to identify fakes and not lock down threads like this. Bernard Levine's advise on fakes is full of references to ebay and sometimes direct links. It is actually quite refreshing to see dialogue between members discussing things like this and helping each other out so we don't get burned. And if I had a question about a fake you would be the first person I would ask on this forum.
Need2Know said:
It is not PC to discuss fakes here. Many a thread gets locked.

That XM looks like an early Gen 3 3.5.

As for sellers, When in doubt, pass.
Click to expand...
 
Final Option said:
This was moved from General Discussion by a mid night moderator for Hinderer Forum members to discuss N2K. There was no deal spotting or direct links to this knife. I think it is PC to educate our forum members to identify fakes and not lock down threads like this. Bernard Levine's advise on fakes is full of references to ebay and sometimes direct links. It is actually quite refreshing to see dialogue between members discussing things like this and helping each other out so we don't get burned. And if I had a question about a fake you would be the first person I would ask on this forum.
Click to expand...

Thank you Final Option. Need2Know, I wasn't looking to buy a fake, but on the contrary trying to find out how to AVOID getting one. I guess you can say I "Needed 2 know" how to avoid getting burned. Sorry, I couldn't avoid the pun. :o
 
It's all good, guys. My words were to discourage the continued conversation of fakes. No maker is a fan of them. Nor am I.

For the most part, the fakes are obvious.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top